Progressive web apps are a hybrid between web pages and native apps. The application type attempts to combine features offered by most modern browsers with the benefits of mobile experience. But underneath, PWA is still just a website. It can “become” an app if user wants to use it that way. So if user returns to the website, using supporting OS and browser, he will be prompted to add the website to the home screen. If he decides to do it, he can use the website as an app later on. If not, the website is still reachable through the browser, and still with most of the benefits that make PWA’s great.

HOW DOES PWA WORK?

PWA is disparate as it has a layer called Service Worker in between the website and the internet which routes all the browser requests and displays the desired results. PWA adds a feather to the cap as there is no need to update the content manually. It updates the content automatically and always displays the fresh content in front of the user. This happens by allowing the service worker to serve all the pages on your website that are stored in the App Shell for quick and updated retrieval. Service worker is the one that shows the user with the latest information, updates, and content. The unique and fresh content is again stored in the App Shell for responding to the user requests rapidly.

ADVANTAGES OF PWA

PWA has immense benefits like

Speedy

Authentic

There is no need for downloading

Greater conversion rates

Fresh and Unique Content

Better performance

Provides Push Notifications

The PWA Studio is a reversed way of thinking about Progressive Web Apps in eCommerce.
In short, instead of a ready-to-use solution, the PWA Studio is a suite of tools for building online stores as Progressive Web Apps.
The studio will be available for Magento Commerce solution partners and UX developers.

“Our merchants want to deliver experiences on mobile that drive loyalty, and make it easy to move from search to purchase,” said Jason Woosley, SVP of Product & Technology at Magento Commerce. “PWA Studio will provide developers and merchants with the tools they need to compete and deliver the convenience and utility of a mobile app combined with the searchability and buying experiences they get from their desktop experiences.”

Essential features of Magento’s PWA studio include:

Build and manage all channels and experiences via one code base, one deployment and app;

Tools to personalize content and add local preferences;

Modularized component architecture to help drive opportunities for extension resellers;

PWA solutions are still dynamically evolving, but those who decide to invest in this technology will be rewarded. The market just reached 5 billion devices connected to the web and the future of eCommerce depends on fast and engaging solutions. Progressive Web Apps are designed for it.

If you look at the PWA Studio and community initiatives, you’ll see two entirely different approaches. The first is a toolbox for developing PWAs on Magento, the second represents ready-to-use solutions. Which one to use? That of course depends.

If you’re starting a new online store, the tools in the PWA Studio will probably be useful for you to help you build it as a Progressive Web Application.

If you already have a shopping platform (e.g. Magento 1), where you have invested thousands of hours into customization and integration, using ready-made PWA front-ends (e.g. VueStorefront) is probably the smartest logical step towards a PWA for you. In this case, all you need to do is to re-design your shop on the front-end.

If you cannot wait for The PWA Studio to be launched, you will find solutions within the community.